Jwaneng springs into sports life

Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 29, 2014 15:21

 

The Zebras held a training camp in the town to prepare for the recent AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau. The town is scheduled to host boxing and softball tournaments. The merger of all football clubs in the town to form Jwaneng Galaxy means Premier League action might return to the diamond hub soon.

A fortnight ago, Jwaneng hosted the Landscape Solutions badminton tournament. Another big sporting moment arrives in the town early next month when it hosts the bowls African States Tournament (AST) from September 6 to 13.

Botswana Bowling Association (BBA) chairperson, Kitso Robert told Mmegi Sport the tournament is expected to breath life into the town. He said Debswana Mining Company has injected around P300,000 in preparing for the tournament that will attract seven countries.

“Debswana has spent P180,000 in developing the facilities that will be used during the tournament, that includes the greens. The company used its maintenance unit to refurbish buildings especially the club house and that is where the other funds went,” said Robert.

Countries that will arrive in Jwaneng next week Friday for the AST are Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Swaziland. Around 100 players are expected to take part in the bowls tournament. Robert said with such a high number of people visiting the town, local businesses will benefit.

One of the town residents, Kealeboga Ramogobya said that Jwaneng has always been a sports town but the facilities are utilised.

He called on other sporting codes to stage events in Jwaneng. He said Debswana has built many facilities that should be used to grow sport in the town. Ramogobya feels accommodation facilities in Jwaneng should be expanded to cater for increased sports activities in the town.

The Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng said Jwaneng should be seen as a role model for other towns. He explained that he intends to push for district councils to take over the idea of de-centralising sports development. He pointed out that the move could benefit the councils.

“Sports can develop an area easily when compared to other activities. It comes with infrastructure, education and employment. Communities that want to accelerate in development should use sports,” said Reikeletseng.

He gave the example of the London 2012 Olympic Games that transformed a former dumping site into a magnificent arena. 

Reikeletseng is of the view that rural areas must be given a chance to host events because they have talent that needs to be tapped into.

Evidence of BNSC’s commitment to decentralise sports is the decision to take the next Botswana Games to Francistown.  The games are always hosted in Gaborone. Reikeletseng explained that the idea is to revive the city.

He said the games will not be held this year as some of the organisers are involved in the forthcoming general elections.